Three-year term will conclude with World Gas Conference in June 2018 in Washington, DC

Paris, France – The United States, through the American Gas Association (AGA), has accepted the Presidency of the International Gas Union (IGU) at the 26th World Gas Conference in Paris. The U.S. will lead the organization, made up of the gas industries of 91 nations, for a three year term which will conclude with the 27th World Gas Conference in June 2018 in Washington, DC. The mission of IGU is to advocate gas as an integral part of a sustainable global energy system, and to promote the political, technical and economic progress of the gas industry. The more than 140 members of IGU are associations and corporations of the gas industry representing over 95% of the global gas market. The organization provides opportunities for over 1,000 members of the global gas community to share best practices and engage in discussions relating to all segments of the natural gas value chain.

“IGU plays an important role, bringing together industry executives, operators and technologists in a variety of knowledge-sharing venues,” said David Carroll, president of the Gas Technology Institute, who will serve as the president of IGU. “We learn from each other, identify areas of common need and work together to educate the public about the benefits of natural gas, promote its use and advance the strategic interests of the industry. A major focus of our leadership term will be to raise the visibility of IGU and to raise the voice of gas across the globe.”

“This is a critical opportunity to capitalize on the United States’ role as a global energy leader. Our technological advancements, abundant supply of clean natural gas and vast delivery network can not only benefit our nation, but can change the way we use energy throughout the globe,” said AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy who will be the chairman of the 2018 World Gas Conference National Organizing Committee. “Over the next three years, the U.S. will lead a global conversation about the best way to deliver essential energy while boosting our global economy and improving our environment through smart policies and best practices that encourage the strategic use of natural gas.”

At an IGU meeting in Croatia in October 2011, the U.S. was elected to lead IGU in a ceremony reminiscent of the selection of a host nation for an upcoming Olympics. In addition to the leadership roles for Carroll and McCurdy, Mel Ydreos of EnergyVantage will serve as chairman of the IGU Coordination Committee and Jay Copan of Barage Energy Consulting will serve as Executive Director of the 2018 World Gas Conference and as Special Advisor to the IGU president.

Under its theme, “Fueling the Future”, the United States team has ascribed three strategic objectives that will guide their work and the efforts of roughly 1,000 gas industry colleagues across the globe:

1. Access —Programs to aid the industry’s ability to access energy resources and promote timely build-out of the infrastructure required to produce, transport and deliver gas to existing and new markets.

2. Markets—Expanding global markets for natural gas is good for the industry and good for consumers. Working to create new areas of demand for gas and to reduce barriers to commercial trade.

3. Social license—The industry has a long history of safe and responsible gas production, transport and delivery. Leveraging the collective efforts of the IGU membership will provide the opportunity to build on this history.

The 2018 World Gas Conference National Organizing Committee is made up of approximately 50 companies and organizations representing the entire gas value chain, including exporters, in addition to equipment and services suppliers, government executives, think tanks, the Washington, DC business community and the Secretariat of the International Gas Union. During their term, the North American team will draw on the expertise and advice of international business and diplomatic leaders through the formation of two groups. The Honorary Global Ambassadors Council consists of members of the diplomatic corps based in Washington, DC and will provide guidance on key issues and opportunities in the gas industries of the countries they represent. The Financial Advisory Board is made up of representatives from key global banks as well major energy companies and will assist the U.S. team in understanding a number of the commercial challenges and opportunities facing the global gas industry.

At the turn of the triennium, the IGU Secretary General, Pål Rasmussen, wishes the US Presidency a warm welcome. The whole Secretariat is looking forward to cooperate with the US team, and the US team’s enthusiasm will put the organization in a better position in implementing the required changes to position itself for its future challenges.